Cinch rigging ring



Dec. 3, 1935.

s. E. WORCESTER 2,022,837

omen RIGGING rims Filed April 10, 1935 lNVENTOR s m NL EV 5 WORCESTER BY/Q/M/ A 7' TORNEY Patented Dec. 3, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in cinch rigging rings for riding saddles of the kind used to form a junction for the saddle rigging straps and the latigo strap. They are particularly adaptable to western saddles using a three-quarter rig, altho they may be also used for fiveeighths and seven-eighths rigs as well as double rigging.

Originally plain round rings were used. Later, D shaped rings were used, and still later, rings were developed for the special purpose having shapes thought to be best suited to this use. All however, have the common fault of chafing the sides of the animal and causing ring sores. I have found that, in saddle rigging of the type here concerned, these ring sores are caused by rubbing friction of portions of the ring other than those in direct line with the tension or pull of the cinch. It is the rotary and working movement of the ring about the points where the latigo and front rigging straps attach that causes the harmful friction. This friction may be directly against the hide of the animal or may extend thru the saddle skirt. It cannot be avoided by thickening the saddle skirt or other padding.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a ring which will hang clear of the saddle skirts and not cause them to dig into the sides of the animal. A second object is to provide a ring which will not rub or chafe the animal to produce ring sores. Still another object is to provide a ring which may be attached directly to the saddle tree without the necessity of blockingup in order to clear the saddle skirts.

I accomplish these objects by the form, shape, and construction of the ring described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevational view of my improved ring; Figure 2, an end view of the ring as it appears in Figure 1 and viewed from the right at a slightly oblique angle; Figure 3, a top view of the same; Figure 4, a side elevation of a saddle tree with a ring in place; and Figure 5, a front view, slightly enlarged, of the right half of a saddle tree with the ring in place.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts in the several views.

These rings are necessarily made right and left, in pairs. Only the right hand ring is here illustrated, but it must be understood that the left hand ring is the converse counterpart of the right hand ring.

Viewed from the side, as in Figure 1, the ring has the general contour of a D with the straight side positioned at the: top, forming the top bar I The ends of this bar are turned sharply at right angles to form the front vertical or drop bar 2, at the forward end, and the back rigging bar 3 5 at the rear end. Intermediate these two last mentioned bars and connecting them is an armate bar the forward portion of which forms the latigo bar 4 and adjoins the front vertical bar, and the rear portion of which forms the rear connecting bar 5.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3 it will be noted that these bars do not lie in the same vertical plane, but are made with numerous twists and swells. Front vertical bar 2 drops in the same plane as the adjoining end of top bar I for about one third of its vertical height. It then swings inwardly at 8. Thus the junction between this bar and the latigo bar is positioned inward of the vertical plane of the forward end of the top 0 bar. From this junction 1 the latigo bar extends outward (to the left as viewed in Figure 2) to join the rear connecting bar 5 at 8. This latter sweeps outward and inward forming the large outward bend or swell 9 the extends inward to join the back rigging bar at The back rigging bar continues this swing and then extends upward to join the rear end of the top bar in line with its vertical plane at the rear.

In addition to this, the top bar is provided with an outward bend I I about one fourth of its length from the front end to allow it to conform to the contour of the saddle tree and the rigging when in place upon the animal. 35

The ring is placed in the rigging of a saddleas shown in Figures 4 and 5. The front-rigging strap l2 of saddle tree I3 is looped around top rigging bar I and fastened in the usual manner. The back rigging strap I 4 is looped around the back rigging bar and similarly fastened, and the latigo l5 extends over latigo bar 4 connecting it with cinch ring I6 and cinch l1.

When thus attached it will be noted that the top rigging bar dips forward'and downward at an angle. This throws the main strain of the cinch tension between the latigo bar and the forward end of the top bar, while there is a lesser strain downward and more of a steadying action applied thru the back rigging strap attached to the back bar. It will be noted that where each of the rigging straps and the latigo attaches there is an inward swell or bend toward the body of the animal. Or, conversely, there is an outward swell between them. As above explained,

the harmful chafing and rubbing which causes ring sores takes place at portions of the ring other than those in line with the strain of the cinch. These are portions which usually correspond in the ordinary ring to latigoi bar 4 or the other rigging bars 5 and 3. From the foregoing it will be seen that I have produced. a ring which is entirely different from the usual construction and practice and which, generally speaking, avoids contact of the ring with the animals side except at places where there is no harmful friction. The outward bend i i of the top rigging bar permits the ring to follow the contour of the rigging on the animal along the line of the top rigging bar when it is in place. Considering. the angular pitch of the top bar it will be seen by reference to Figures 4 and 5 that when the ring is in position the outward swells 6 and 9, formed respectively at the upper portion of the front vertical bar and thruout the extent of the rear connecting bar aline to conform to the line of the lower edge of the saddle skirt l8, thereby clearing it and preventing pressure against the animal at these points. The general line of vertical bending, or outward swell, of the ring when in use is substantially horizontal and follows the line of the lower edge of the saddle skirt. This line is indicated by S-S, Figure 1.

It will be noted that the latigo bar is angularly disposed relative to the general plane of the top bar. This is necessary to make the latigo bar lie flat following the contours of the animal when the ring is in correct position.

The section of the various bars of the ring is preferably ovoidal, with the more rounded portion on the inside of the ring to minimize wear and cutting of the leathers. The depth thickness of the section must be suflicient, considering the material from which the ring is made, to maintain its particular shape, as herein described, under all conditions of use. I have found that the ring may be stamped to shape, or moulded of steel or bronze, and when so made it is sufficient for the section to have a one fourth inch maximum thickness and a three quarter inch maximum depth. 5

I claim:

1. A saddle rigging ring having the general outline of a D and being bent edgewise to conform to the general contour of the saddle rigging, and having outward swells at all parts not covered 10 by rigging or latigo straps.

2. A saddle rigging ring having the general outline of a D including a top bar, a front vertical bar and a rear rigging bar depending therefrom substantially at right angles, and an arcuate bar interconnecting said front vertical bar and said rear rigging bar, said front bar and the rear portion of said arcuate bar being provided with outward swells to prevent pressure against the sides of the animal and the top bar being bent to conform. to the contour of the side of the animal.

3. A saddle rigging ring having the general peripheral contour of a D including a top bar,

a front vertical bar and a back rigging bar depending therefrom, a latigo bar attached to said front vertical bar at the forward end and connected to said back rigging bar at the rear by a ear connecting bar, said top bar being provided with an outward bend approximately one fourth of the distance from its front end to its rear end to conform to the contour of the rigging upon the animal, said front vertical bar having an outward bend to prevent contact with the side of the animal, said latigo bar being angularly positioned relative to the plane of the top bar, and extending slightly outward toward the rear, and said rear connecting her having an outward bend to prevent contact with the animal.

STANLEY E. WORCESTER. 

